The identity of the first nuclear submarine to operate out of Australia’s HMAS Stirling naval base from 2027 onwards has been revealed.
U.S. Virginia class fast-attack submarine USS Colorado, which arrived at the Royal Australian Navy base in Western Australia yesterday (Tuesday) for scheduled maintenance, will be the first boat assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West).
Under AUKUS Pillar I plans, up to four U.S. nuclear submarines and one U.K. boat will operate from SRF-West on a rotational basis from late 2027 onwards.
The plan is part of the wider effort to help the RAN and Defence Australia establish the skills and training base they will need as they prepare to operate their own sovereign nuclear submarines, the forthcoming SSN-AUKUS class common to the U.K., in the early 2040s.
Building of the first SSN-AUKUS at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia is set to begin by the end of this decade. Ahead of the 2040s entry into service, Australia is set to bridge its capability gap by acquiring U.S.-made Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s.
This week the first designated submarine for SRF-West, USS Colorado, arrived at the Australian base for scheduled maintenance. The US Navy said the work carried out on the boat there “would further demonstrate Australia’s growing ability to sustain U.S. and UK nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines.”
As per a U.S. Navy statement: “SRF-West will accelerate Australia’s readiness to own, operate, maintain, and regulate a sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, as well as support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region for AUKUS partners.”
It called the designation of USS Colorado to SRF-West “a significant milestone for AUKUS Pillar I and is a decisive step in strengthening collective deterrence in the Pacific.”
- You can read more details on the U.S. Navy website
